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7 Secrets to a Successful Family Holiday

April 7, 2018 by Rosie Leave a Comment

There so many things to consider before a family holiday. Sometimes you may wonder if it’s all worth the stress and the effort! However, there are a few secrets you need up your sleeve to ensure that you have a successful family holiday. All you need is the right preparation and planning!

Here are 7 secrets to have a successful family holiday:

#1. Plan moments of relaxation

Sometimes when we plan a holiday as parents, it can be easy to forget that holidays are not quite as relaxing as perhaps they were pre-kids! Relaxing as a parent is not as obvious as switching off your laptop and lying on a sun lounger! But with some planning, family holidays can still be relaxing. It’s about finding the best compromise for everyone and planning for moments of relaxation.

Try having some activities or trips planned for your children in the morning and combine with some ‘quiet time’ for everyone in the afternoon. If your baby or toddler takes a nap, plan to stay in an apartment or room, with a balcony, so you can relax while your child is sleeping. Or perhaps make use of on site children’s clubs. With careful planning you can make sure everyone gets some relaxation time.

#2. Book family-friendly accommodation

Holiday destinations are filled with charming and cosy hotels – large bedrooms, views of the sea and super size bathrooms. But when you travel with children, you expect a little more from your hotel than a nice room. You need the hotel to offer a family-friendly environment. Look for a family room, preferably interconnecting rooms so that you can have some time alone when the little ones are asleep.

Additionally, the hotel should provide facilities for children and babies, including baby cots, baby baths, safe playground areas and changing facilities. Sometimes family friendly hotels can be difficult to find at an affordable price, which is why it is often easier to look for a room for rent or an entire villa for your family vacation. You can find family friendly rentals, with plenty of privacy and even entertainment for children.

Photo by Leo Rivas on Unsplash

#3. Time for everyone

Most parents are used to the ‘what if’ planning method that inspires you to carry half a pharmacy in your luggage every time you travel! But as well as planning for mishaps, remember to plan some fun time for everyone too. For children, try putting together a play travel kit, such as a mini road travel kit that fits in a tin. It’s the ideal size to carry in your bag when you’re visiting new places. For the grown ups, how about buying a new book for the vacation? Think about what would be relaxing and fun for each member of the family.

#4. Choose outdoors activities

Holidays are the perfect time to enjoy the tranquility of nature, especially with children who love to be outdoors and experience new things. Being in nature is good for you. Direct sunlight encourages natural bodily functions, from the absorption of calcium for healthy bones and teeth to the production of happiness hormones to elevate your mood. Is there anything better than a healthy and relaxing vacation in nature?

If you live in an urban area, being surrounded by trees, water and animals can help you to unplug from your day-to-day stressful environment. To make the most of your time outside remember that young children and toddlers tire quickly. Pick an exciting destination where there is a lot for them to see, such as a park or wood. If you want to go for a long walk, bring a push chair or baby carrier, plus plenty of healthy snacks for hungry children.

#5. Be realistic with meals

If you’re travelling with young children, a restaurant night out can be especially stressful for everyone. Well-behaved children in restaurants are sometimes a myth more than a reality! It is unfair to demand your child to sit quietly for hours during a meal at a restaurant. Be realistic with your meal expectations for yourselves and your children.

Try to eat in child friendly places or at the hotel. An apartment is ideal, as you can prepare some meals at home. Go out for meals early, when children are not tired. Keeping to your children’s normal routine as much as possible will help everyone to relax and enjoy the holiday more. If your children are adventurous with food, that’s great! If not, it’s not the end of the world. A holiday brings a lot of new things and keeping meal times simple can help make them more successful.

#6. Be prepared on long trips

How can you successfully travel long distances with young children? Be prepared by following some of these tips for flying with a baby or toddler. You might have some ‘special rules’ or treats for long flights, allowing your kids to order a sweet drink from the steward as a treat for example, or buying a toy just for the travel. Some families like to be more relaxed about screen time when travelling. Sometimes you have to make allowances during travel time! Just make sure to explain any rules or expectations to your children and get back into their child’s usual routine after your holiday.

#7. Be a role model

Lastly, whatever happens, try to stay calm and relaxed and go with the flow. There will be difficult moments and mishaps on holiday – there’s lots of travel and change for everyone. But the fun and memory making makes it all worth while. Try to be a good role model, stay calm and good humoured and your kids are likely to follow your lead!

Ultimately, a successful family holiday is all about balance. Try to plan ahead and consider everyone’s needs. What are your secrets to a successful family holiday?

Disclosure: This is a contributed post.

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Hi, I’m Rosie!

Lover of tea on the beach and avid recycler!

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13 Feb

Cute and easy heart stencil cards for kids. ❤️

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Feeling a little guilty as my 4 year old has been watching Dinosaur Train for half the day today. Then I asked her what a hypothesis is and she said “an idea you can test” so now I feel better 😆
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Rest in peace Captain Tom ❤️❤️❤️

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Question for #supplyteachers Have you been furloughed? I was last time, but have heard nothing from my agency this time so far. Wondering what your experience is?

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Sweet and simple ideas to inspire kids. 👩‍🎨
Art | Crafts | Nature
Lover of tea on the beach and avid recycler! 🐚🐠🐳 ❤️

Rosie
Do you feel like showering a little love this Febr Do you feel like showering a little love this February? 🥰
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I think we need all the love and good vibes right now and I do love a creative project that doubles as a gift! 💝 
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We loved making these dancing heart stencil cards - simple to make and sweet Valentines for your children to hand out. 😍
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When I get 5 minutes I'll make a blog post 🙄😆but they are easy enough to make:
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-Draw a heart shape on a piece of card and cut out a stencil. 
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-Place stencil on folded white card, sponge red and white paint, let dry.
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-Decorate with a pen and goggly eyes.
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-Spread a little love!
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These would be a cute and easy activity over the half term/winter break. ❄️
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Do your children like to make Valentine cards? 💕
Do you feel like you're balancing all the things r Do you feel like you're balancing all the things right now?
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Life is throwing everything at us at the moment. If you feel like you’re about to topple and fall with the weight of it all, you are not alone. 

Working, parenting, home schooling. Trying to stay calm and look after ourselves as well as our families. Whatever your situation, I know you are juggling a lot.
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But you are strong, you are capable and you have got this. We have got this.
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Think of a memory that makes you feel calm and happy. Hold on to it until the time you can make it happen again. And in the meantime try to to seize the little moments of every day joy. 
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I think of the beach when I need a pick me up. How about you?
Don’t you just love when a crafty project double Don’t you just love when a crafty project doubles as something useful??
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You can turn this easy Christmas tree stencil idea into simple gift wrap! 
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Get your children printing and decorating Christmas trees on a sheet of parcel paper. You’ll keep them busy and creative, then can wrap gifts for the grandparents or friends in the paper! 
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This year, more than ever, people will really appreciate the small, personal things that you do for them. Things that are made, thought about and given with love. ❤️ Have a think about how you can make someone feel special this year. The simple ideas are always the best!
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Are you planning to add a personal touch to gifts and cards this year? Have you made gift wrap with your children before?
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Joining in with @makemerryandcreate @littlelion_mom @playwithmamma and #makeyourchristmascrafts
Wow, it’s been a while! I took a bit of a soci Wow, it’s been a while! 

I took a bit of a social media break, as life took over. As it does from time to time. So taking the time to say hello to you all again.👋 

I’m Rosie and I love to share simple ideas to inspire kids to get arty, crafty and creative. 🎨 

I also 💚the outdoors and try to share this love of nature in many of my projects. 🌲 

This is me and my crew, back in October on my 40th birthday! A beautiful beachy day. 🏝 

Since then we’ve bought a house, moved and had one kiddo in isolation for 14 days 🤪- hence the radio silence. 

A break has helped me ditch the overwhelm and simplify my priorities. But now, I’m so ready to start getting creative again and bring on all the festive vibes! 🎄

When life gets overwhelming, don’t be afraid to step back and focus only on the things that are important. Take a breath, get outdoors and then reprioritise, one step at a time. ❤️

How are you doing with lockdowns, winter and festive preparation? What helps you step back and reprioritise?
What is your lasting memory of this past few month What is your lasting memory of this past few months with your kids?

For me it’s been bike rides and making things together. 🖍 ✂️ 
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Funny how our minds gloss over the stresses of home school and lack of ‘me time’ 🤣
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I’ve not been on social media much lately - I’ve been making the most of the end of summer, adjusting to the ‘new normal’ and figuring out what is next for me now that my littlest has started school. 😊
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One thing I am doing is starting to sort through the pile of creations 🖼 (and clutter too!) in the house. It’s reminding me of all the lovely things we have done together (even when mum guilt sometimes tells me otherwise) and helping to clear my mind too. ❤️
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If you’re feeling a little lost at the moment I can recommend a good sort out as a starting point! @whatkatysaiduk is a wonderful inspiration on decluttering. 🥰
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Are your children back at school, or are you still in the thick of homeschool? 
Anyone else swamped with projects from this year?! I’d love any ideas on how you like to organise art work!
(Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family (Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family?
We had a roarr-some time at @roarr_dinosauradventure in Norfolk last weekend.
With dinosaur trails, a splash zone, Jurassic putt and much more we all had an amazing family day. I was really impressed with the social distancing and safety measures in place too. Full review to follow soon!
Have you been on any fun family days out recently?
Is home school still happening in your family?! Af Is home school still happening in your family?! After 12 weeks of lockdown we’ve ditched ‘home school’ for ‘life school.’ So far the kids have made and decorated their own cakes, helped do laundry, vacuum and mop. 🧼 Plus lots of free play, projects and learning about topics they are interested in - mainly dinosaurs! 🦖 🦕 
I feel so much more relaxed for letting go of formal work! (Let’s face it there wasn’t much of it happening anyway...😬) But I was still pressuring myself mentally and it was starting to create power struggles (with my eldest very spirited child!) When you start doing things that you and the children are motivated to do it takes the pressure off everyone. And the miracle is that’s when the real learning happens! 🌟 
My son has even written about his fossil collection - a change from tearing my hair out to get him to write! The kids have played more independently too, as I’ve ‘left them to it’ more. Plus - the house is even starting to look just a little bit cleaner! 🧹

So if home school is just not happening anymore, I’d recommend doing an Elsa and just ‘Let it Goooo’. Swap it for ‘life school’ and I guarantee the kids will be learning equally valuable lessons. 💡Just do what works for your family. ❤️ Are you still home schooling? Do you feel like you’re trying to ‘do it all’? Or have you embraced a more flexible approach?

I’d love to hear any ideas you have that we could try? My kids love dinosaurs and creative things. Plus I’m trying to encourage independent playing and helping in the house, so all ideas welcome! 💡
Sleeping with her babies. 👶🏻👶🏾❤️
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I’ve been listening to black voices over the last few days. Thinking about the BLM movement and ways I can do more. I wasn’t sure whether to share, but I’ve learned it’s better to speak than to say nothing.
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I’ve always thought of myself as someone who embraces diversity. I’ve travelled, met and befriended people of all colours, nationalities and religions. As a teacher I’ve valued each child’s individuality, as well as seeing them all as equals. I try to encourage my children to be kind to all others.
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But I realise this is NOT enough. I need to do more. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last week it’s that - we have to take ACTION against racism. It’s not enough to just ‘not be racist’, we have to be ANTI racist to make a change.
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So what action do I commit to do?
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•Listen - keep listening to black people’s stories and struggles.
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•Educate - myself and my children further. Read books that spark CONVERSATIONS with my children and others. Keep learning and keep trying to do better.
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•Amplify - promote black voices, especially those in the fields of education and children.
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If you’re a mama or a teacher and wondering how you can take ACTION against racism, I’d really recommend taking a look at @readlikearockstar and @apron_education - they have some brilliant resources to share with your kids. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Do you talk about racism with your kids? How are you taking action against racism?
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